Spurs show no mercy for ailing Griz

1of18San Antonio Spurs' Danny Green celebrates after scoring a 3-pointer as Memphis Grizzlies' Matt Barnes looks on during second half action of Game 1 in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs Sunday April 17, 2016 at the AT&T Center.Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

2of18San Antonio Spurs' Kawhi Leonard shoots over Memphis Grizzlies' Zach Randolph as San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan (left) and Memphis Grizzlies' Tony Allen look on during first half action of Game 1 in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs Sunday April 17, 2016 at the AT&T Center.Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

6of18Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) celebrates after he scored against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 5, 2018, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)Photo: Eric Gay, Associated Press

7of18San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich signals to his players during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Monday, March 5, 2018, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)Photo: Eric Gay, Associated Press

9of18SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 17:LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs scores in front of Zach Randolph #50 of the Memphis Grizzlies in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center on April 17, 2016 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.Photo: Ronald Cortes, Getty Images

10of18SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 17: Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs drives in front of Zach Randolph #50 of the Memphis Grizzlies in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center on April 17, 2016 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.Photo: Ronald Cortes, Getty Images

11of18SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 17: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs tries to strip Zach Randolph #50 of the Memphis Grizzlies of the ball in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center on April 17, 2016 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.Photo: Ronald Cortes, Getty Images

12of18SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 17:Boris Diaw #33 of the San Antonio Spurs battles JaMychal Green #0 of the Memphis Grizzlies for a rebound in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center on April 17, 2016 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) *** BESTPIX ***Photo: Ronald Cortes

13of18SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 17: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs dunks in front of the Memphis Grizzlies in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center on April 17, 2016 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.Photo: Ronald Cortes, Getty Images

14of18SAN ANTONIO,TX - APRIL 17: Manu Ginobili #20 of the San Antonio Spurs passes off against the Memphis Grizzlies in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center on April 17, 2016 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.Photo: Ronald Cortes, Getty Images

15of18SAN ANTONIO,TX - APRIL 17:LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs drives against the Memphis Grizzlies in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center on April 17, 2016 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.Photo: Ronald Cortes, Getty Images

16of18SAN ANTONIO,TX - APRIL 17: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs scores against the Memphis Grizzlies in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center on April 17, 2016 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.Photo: Ronald Cortes, Getty Images

17of18SAN ANTONIO,TX - APRIL 17: Lance Stephenson #1 of the Memphis Grizzlies guards Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center on April 17, 2016 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.Photo: Ronald Cortes, Getty Images

18of18SAN ANTONIO,TX - APRIL 17:LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs drives against the Memphis Grizzlies in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center on April 17, 2016 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.Photo: Ronald Cortes, Getty Images

For about 24 hours or so, the Memphis Grizzlies had hope.

It was there on the plane flight into San Antonio for the start of the Western Conference playoffs. It was there at shootaround Sunday morning before Game 1.

It was there in the pregame locker room at the AT&T Center, and in the layup line later on.

Then the game tipped off, and 48 seconds later Kawhi Leonard stripped Matt Barnes and scampered uncontested for a dunk.

Adios, hope.

“I just tried to bring as much energy tonight coming into Game 1,” Leonard said after spearheading a 106-74 Spurs romp. “To make a stand for my team and just be aggressive and keep moving from there.”

It isn’t often the tone for a playoff series is set within the first minute of Game 1. That’s what happened Sunday.

The Spurs kept moving toward a lopsided victory that was at once historic — the Grizzlies had never lost a playoff game by more than 27 points — and utterly expected.

Leonard scored 20 points with four steals and three blocks, and LaMarcus Aldridge added 17 points and a pair of blocks as the second-seeded Spurs not only drew first blood in the series, they might have struck an artery.

“We’re the type of team that just focuses on ourselves,” Leonard said. “We know we have an opportunity, and we want to make the best of it.”

The injury-ravaged Grizzlies entered Game 1 as no doubt the worst seventh seed in postseason history.

Boasting a roster padded by journeymen and Development-Leaguers, Memphis was a 17-point underdog, per Las Vegas, the widest line for an NBA playoff game in two decades.